5 Things: Plays, operas, moonshine, and the 1980s

That’s a lot of stuff for one weekend, but we have confidence in you.

November 19, 2015; 11:55 AM • by Susan Howson

1. Luminous One: An Evening with Ethel Barrymore

The Branch Museum of Architecture and Design is killing it lately with programming in their beautiful space. And teaming up with Quill Theatre, who is ALWAYS killing it, is probably a great idea! Were you aware that legendary actress Ethel Barrymore paid various visits to Richmond? Come hear Melissa Johnston Price do a staged historical reading that will transport you back to Richmond in 1943! Plus, afterwards you’ll get to ask questions with the director, the actor, and a panel of scholars! Neat.

• Thursday, November 19th • 7:00 PM
• Branch Museum of Architecture and Design, 2501 Monument Avenue
• $15

2. La Bohème

Those Bohemians! They’re so artsy and cool, and their story sure worked well when it was recycled into incredibly successful Broadway musical, Rent. WCVE 88.9 informed me about so many fascinating things about this opera, including the concept of a bohemian grisette. Seeing Puccini’s opera might be a great way to think hard about all the important history in Paris’s past, considering recent events!

• Friday, November 20th (8:00 PM) and Sunday, November 22nd (2:30 PM)
• Carpenter Theatre, 600 E. Grace Street
• $19 – $114

3. A ton of plays

We saw some really, really good plays during the last couple of weeks. Definitely check out Equus at Virginia Rep’s Theatre Gym, take your parents (or just yourselves) to Plaid Tidings at Swift Creek Mill, or prepare yourself for many emotions at Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill at the Basement.

• See sites for dates and times
• See sites for locations
• You get the idea, see site for prices

4. Virginia Moonshine Festival

What exactly IS moonshine? Well, if you read the Wikipedia article, you will learn that it’s technically “high-proof distilled spirits that are generally produced illicitly.” Nowadays, commercial moonshine is just kinda “the liquor that tastes a lot like the ones people made illegally.” It’s better this way–illegally produced alcohol can actually kill you, so let’s stay away from that. Also…one nickname for illicitly-produced moonshine was “mountain dew”?????? How x-treme! Do the dew this weekend at the Virginia Moonshine Festival, which “celebrates the fuel that began in the mountains and worked its way into history.” Featuring: Belle Isle (of course), Moon Pie MoonShine, Bird Dog, Ole Smoky, and a bunch of other ones. For the love of Pete, please get home safely!

• Saturday, November 21st • 2:00 – 7:00 PM (you can purchase an early shiner pass and get there as early as 12:00 PM so you’ll be nice and hammered by the time everyone else gets there)
• Richmond International Raceway Complex, Old Dominion Barn, 600 E. Laburnum Avenue
• $49 for early shiners pass, $39 for advance regular ticket, $45 for day-of regular ticket, $10 for designated drivers, $0 for kids 12 and under, but you’re discouraged from bringing them by both the event coordinators and myself

5. Ultimate ’80s Bash to Benefit Connor’s Heroes

When I think of the ultimate 1980s, I always think of the look and feel of Trivia Adventure, a board game my siblings and I were into playing back then. The Ultimate ’80s Bash totally (and finally!) captures this vibe!! At the Science Museum, where I spent a lot of time in the ’80s! (That weird crystal room, anyone?) Come party to the Breakfast Club, a solid ’80s cover band, eat dinner, and enjoy an open bar. All to benefit Connor’s Heroes, an organization that helps out families who are struggling with cancer in their midst. 

• Saturday, November 21st • 7:00 PM
• Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 W. Broad Street
• $80

November 19, 2015 11:55 AM · in Fan of the Fan, Greater Jackson Ward News, and more 0